Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
The above Bible verse comes from Luke’s account of some practical teachings of Jesus. He is encouraging people’s connection with others and giving them good, godly ways to interact. Jesus teaches to be good even to those who are not nice to us, see Luke 6:27-29. Jesus challenges us and also gives us the ‘golden rule:’
Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.
The ‘giving’ in Luke 6:38 is not just money, but the giving of ourselves. For when we participate with others, connections are made, and relationships begin to form. Yes, building friendships takes effort and time and risk and energy. Some make friends easily. For others, it takes a bit more effort. Yet, there is great benefit in those connections.
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron,and one man sharpens another.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
To enjoy the blessing of connection we must join in, participate. I saw this at our All-Church Lunch a week ago. We had planned to have a fun party to officially welcome our Spanish congregation into our church. To make this happen we needed a lot of people to participate. Our Spanish and Khmer (Cambodian) congregations brought side dishes. Our Smokin’ Crew cooked up some 280 pounds of chicken. Many in the congregation brought in desserts. Our staff set up and a bunch of volunteers served the food, ran the kitchen, cleaned up the kitchen, and took down the tables and chairs. In all this participation, people connected, not just in the time around the tables eating, but in their helping. See, participation creates connection and the joy of being together. People were sharing their dessert recipes. Guys were interacting over their grilling techniques. People were learning names and stories of others they had not yet met. In all this there was a great sense of belonging, togetherness, and love. What made this all happen was each one’s choice to participate.
Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
It is all too easy not to make the effort to join in and be part of something. Sure, connecting and interacting takes something of us. But it will bring about connection and so much more. How could you participate a bit more with others?
Attending church in-person can be a great place to participate. If you do not already have a church you attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. We are a fun, welcoming church and would love for you to connect with us! Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our Sunday gatherings. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Seeking to participate a bit more along with you,
Messages From Mike 
